Earlier last month on their way back home to St. Petersburg, a Florida couple was killed when a drunk driver slammed into their vehicle. According to a report by one local news source, the vehicle was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hours shortly before the accident occurred. Evidently, the couple was returning to their St. Petersburg home after Thanksgiving celebrations when the drunk driver hit their car. The drunk driver had collided with another vehicle immediately before hitting and killing the Florida couple. He had fled the scene of that accident when he ran into the Florida couple. The drunk driver was arrested at the scene of the accident after his breath-alcohol content was in excess of .08, the legal limit in Florida. The man is being charged with drunken driving manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash, driving without insurance, and driving with a license for business purposes only. An investigation is still underway, and toxicology reports are still pending to determine the driver’s exact level of intoxication. Drunk Driving Accidents in Florida During the holiday season, festivities are abundant, and, in turn, the rate of drunk driving increases exponentially. In fact, we see a dramatic increase in drunk driving accidents over all holiday weekends, but none more so than Thanksgiving and Christmas, when most people are off of work and spending time with those they haven’t seen in months. However, regardless of the underlying circumstances, there is never a good excuse to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. In Florida, the law defines “intoxicated” as a blood- or breath-alcohol content of .08 or greater. However, a blood or breath test is not necessarily required to cite a driver for DUI. A police officer can, in his or her assessment, cite a driver for being intoxicated to the point of not being able to safely operate a motor vehicle, regardless of his or her actual level of intoxication. Regardless of whether blood- or breath-test results are available, a drunk-driving accident victim may be able to recover for his or her injuries from the intoxicated driver. Most often, test results are available, and they are certainly helpful, but it is important to realize that they are not legally required to prove a case. If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident in Florida, contact a dedicated personal injury attorney to discuss your case. Have You Been Involved in a Serious Drunk Driving Accident? If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a car accident caused by drunk driving, you may be entitled to monetary damages based on the other driver’s negligent decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. The Dean Law Firm has years of experience bringing lawsuits against drunk drivers, seeking just compensation for accident victims. They understand how difficult it can be to have been involved in such a senseless tragedy and do everything they can to make the recovery process as easy as possible. To learn more, and to speak to a dedicated drunk-driving accident attorney, call 352-387-8700 to set up a free initial consultation with an attorney today. More Blog Posts: Florida Helicopter Crash Results in $16 Million Verdict, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published October 3, 2014. Florida Police Patrol Car Gets into Accident with SUV, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published December 13, 2014.
